AutoInformed Ken Zino BYD all-electric yard trucks eliminate the use of diesel fuel. A typical yard truck burns 2 to 4 gallons of diesel fuel per hour.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the strongest-ever national clean air standards to cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks beginning with model year 2027. The new standards are long overdue. They are the first update to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than 20 years. EPA says they are more than 80% stronger than current standards.

This final rulemaking is the latest step toward implementing the Clean Truck Plan, which is moving America’s highly polluting and long-term durable heavy-duty trucking fleet slowly towards low-carbon and electric technologies. Extraordinary investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are accelerating innovation in zero-emissions truck technology, expanding access to clean school and transit buses, and training workers to install and maintain charging infrastructure. This faces significant opposition from the Republican party, which is heavily financed by the fossil fuel industry.